Faculty of Physics and Astronomy

Bochum Autumn Conference of Amateur Astronomers meets for the 40th time at RUB

21.11.23 | Faculty, Research

Many exciting lectures, an award ceremony and professional exchange between amateurs and researchers - at the 40th edition of BoHeTa on November 4, there was once again a full program for interested stargazers from all over Germany.

The 40th BoHeTa attracted over 130 interested visitors. BoHeTa to the Ruhr University Bochum at the beginning of November. This year's one-day conference, which was held for the first time in 1980, once again featured numerous exciting contributions from both amateur astronomy and research. In addition, prizes were once again awarded by the Reiff Foundation for the promotion of amateur and school astronomy. This year's conference was organized by Prof. Dr. Ralf-Jürgen Dettmar and Peter Riepe.


Prof. Dr. Ralf-Jürgen Dettmar and Peter Riepe

As in previous years, the conference's lecture topics were once again varied and included amateur contributions on topics such as calcium sun photography, automated asteroid tracking, building your own observatory and the structures of Venus' atmosphere. This year's Reiff lecture was given by Prof. Dr. Uli Klein from the University of Bonn. His presentation "Galaxies: old acquaintances in a new light" focused on the multi-wavelength view of galaxies. The supplementary amateur lecture by Dr. Wolfgang Herrmann dealt with the operation of the 25m-Stockert radio telescope, a former research facility of the University of Bonn, by an association. The Reiff lecture is sponsored by the Reiff Foundation and serves to promote cooperation between amateur and specialist astronomers.

The Reiff Foundation also presented the Reiff sponsorship awards again this year. In the category "Astronomy projects for kindergarten and primary school children", Dr. Carolin Liefke (Reiff Foundation) honored the Wiegelsweg daycare centre in Schwalmstadt for its work this year. The prize is awarded to projects that actively introduce children of kindergarten or primary school age to astronomy.

Organizers and visitors were satisfied with the event and hope for a successful gathering next year.

 

The Bochum Autumn Conference of Amateur Astronomers is organized by amateurs with scientific support from the Astronomical Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum. Since 1980, amateur and professional astronomers have been meeting once a year (with a few exceptions) for a professional exchange. The event is known throughout Germany for the high standard of the amateur work presented and the special specialist lectures. National media such as Deutschlandfunk also regularly report on the event. The event has been supported by the Reiff Foundation since 2009.
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